Far Eastern University tightened its grip on the number four spot after sweeping Adamson University, 25-19, 25-23, 25-23, in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Tamaraws, who won their second straight contest, still hold the best chance to snatch the last Final Four spot after improving to 6-4.
“Syempre sa kinalalagyan namin ngayon, mas gigil pa kami na mas makamit yung goal namin na pumasok sa Final Four and also yung mga goal din naman na mabawian anmin yung natalo kami ng first round,” said FEU head coach Manolo Refugia.
With the Lady Falcons looking to extend the game, Faida Bakanke unleashed two consecutive hits late in the third set to stretch a 22-21 lead to three points, 24-21, and put the Lady Tamaraws at match point.
Adamson did not go down without a fight, capitalizing on a Chennie Tagaod service error followed by a Barbie Jamili attack to close the gap to a solitary point.
Gerzel Petallo went for the off-speed in the following play to try and seal the game, but the game was allowed to continue by the officials.
That forced FEU to call a floor touch challenge – which they eventually won – to end the match.
Four Lady Tamaraws finished in the double digits, with Bakanke posting a game-high 13 points on 11 attacks and two blocks in the one-hour and 26-minute victory.
Tagaod added 12 points to go along with seven excellent receptions, while Petallo and Asis contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.
FEU can advance to the Final Four if De La Salle beats UE which is being played as of posting time
The Morayta-based squad will go up against University of Sto. Tomas on Saturday, 4:00 PM at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Lady Tamaraws’ victory also meant that University of the Philippines is already out of the Final Four race.
On the other hand, the Lady Falcons slid to 2-8, still at the seventh spot, and are now a loss away from elimination.
A victory by FEU in its next match will also boot out Adamson from contention.
Red Bascon paced the Lady Falcons with 13 points.
Meanwhile, Jamili had 11 markers on 11 attacks to go along with seven excellent receptions and six excellent digs.
Adamson looks to bounce against University of the Philippines also on Saturday at 2:00 PM.
